On the day of delivery, veggies are arranged in baskets so members can choose their produce.

"We list everything we have that day on a blackboard, and tell people how much they're allowed," Brandt explained. "Sometimes, there's so much, that our members end up sharing with neighbors and friends."

Founded in 2006, Groundswell Community Farm is one of several local organizations offering community supported agriculture. Brandt and Hoekstra met while working at Trillium Haven, another CSA farm in Jenison.

"Community-supported agriculture is a movement that's spreading across the United States for people who want to eat locally grown fresh foods," Hoekstra said. "They find a farmer who will grow food for them, and then they have access to fresh, local produce all season long."

Becoming a member

A membership to Groundswell Community Farm costs $400 for a 22-week season. Produce is delivered once a week to locations in Holland and Grand Rapids from the first of June through the end of October. Hoekstra and Brandt sell remaining produce at the Fulton Street Farmers' Market in Grand Rapids, on Fridays, and at Sweetwater Local Foods Market in Muskegon on Saturdays. The farm has 80 members in Holland and Grand Rapids.

Although a membership guarantees access to fresh local produce, it doesn't determine the exact amount of vegetables members receive or when produce will be ready.

Variables such as weather, rainfall, flooding and insect damage affect the crops.

"We had some flooding this spring, that did some damage, but then our members stepped up and donated seedlings to replace what we'd lost," Brandt said.

"When people purchase a share of our produce and become members, they also share the risk that comes with farming that produce," Hoekstra added.

When vegetables are harvested, they're divided equally among members. "For example, if we only harvest 80 cucumbers, then each member will only get one that week," Brandt said.

Fertile ground

Located on seven fertile acres of rich, muckland soil, the Groundswell Community Farm plot once was used for onions, Brandt said, and is leased from a neighboring farm.

A basket of freshly harvested vegetables from Groundswell Community Farm

"It took me a while to find the land that I wanted," she said. "Our soil is so loose ... you can almost dig with your hands. Even a 3-year-old can help."

In becoming a certified organic farm, Groundswell doesn't use any pesticides or fertilizers to enhance the soil.

"The soil is over 50 percent organic, or broken down plant matter," Brandt said. "It allows us to grow things that other soils can't, such as celery and onions. Most everything tends to grow bigger."

On a recent weekday, first-year Groundswell member Keri Tucker, of Grand Rapids, and her three children, Noah, Eliana and Eden, picked an array of fresh vegetables on the farm.

"We try to eat organically, and I wanted my children to have the opportunity to be on the farm," Tucker said. "I think it's a great deal. We get a better variety than what's available at the grocery store."

That afternoon, Tucker brought her children to the drop-off site, and piled the freshly picked produce into reusable cloth bags to tote home.

"People like the fact that they know where their food comes from, how it's grown and who tends it," Brandt said. "We also encourage participation and ask members to come out and help with planting or harvesting some of their own food."

During the season, Groundswell offers several events that members can take part in, including the annual potato dig.

"In a way, joining our farm is kind of like joining a health club because you're getting all of this great healthy produce," Brandt said.